I have a question. How did the wise men know the star in the east was in reference to the savior? Was there prophecies or some references in the old testament or ancient manuscripts that gave insight to this?
They were actually a cast of Persian priests who were involved both as priests, as well as in the science field. They carried both aspects about them because they were involved in astrology and astronomy. In their priesthood in Persia, they relied on the stars, they relied on magic, and they relied on sorcery to gain their messages and to perform their function. They believed that when a great person was born upon the face of the earth that a cataclysmic event would happen in the stars which is kind of interesting.
Why would the event cause them to come to Jerusalem? Well, in the Mesopotamian area, back in the days of Balaam, in Numbers Chapter 24 Verse 17, Balaam prophesied and said a star would come out of Jerusalem. This was the same area that these priests came from. They had Balaam's prophesies.
That was also the area in which Daniel was at, and they had his prophesies as well. And so these casts of priests knew that the Jews were looking for and waiting for the Messiah to come. This means that they, The Magi, they knew from the end of Daniel Chapter 9 Verses 24 to 27 about the 70 weeks of Daniel.
And they would count out the days and those weeks added up to 173,880 days from the time the decree was made for the temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem till the time of the coming priest, 173,880 days.
That's why Jesus in the gospel of Luke, He is weeps over Jerusalem and He says, "And if you knew this your day of visitation, you would have received me." He was making reference to Daniel's prophecy, because on the very day, 173,880 days after the decree was made to rebuild Jerusalem, Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.
The Jews should have known that to the exact day. But they didn't. And they rejected their Messiah. But the Magi knew. They knew that another great man was about to arrive on the scene and that if there was an event in the heavens, then this was probably the birth of the Messiah.
Good information: truth shines from the word of God. As you said the leaders of Jerusalem should have known. I believe they did know, in Matthew 2:3-6, that Jerusalem (chief priests and scribes) was also troubled. They knew the time, but God did to them what He did to Pharoah, He blinded and hardened their hearts, John 12:40. To me this kind of ties into the things S Spencer has been sharing.
There are other scriptures they were probably aware of, like Jeremiah 50:6 and Ezekiel 34 where God told Ezekiel to prophesy against the shepherds, (the leaders) and what God would do, Ezekiel 34:10.
So, they were troubled to hear Jesus was born. They did not even send anyone to Bethlehem to see. You would think they would have been jumping for joy, but they did not want to give up the power, wealth, and Moses's seat they had. Jesus the true Shepherd John 10:11 first came only for the lost sheep of Israel, Matthew 15:24, fulfilling and confirming the covenant Hebrews 13:20. Jesus also told the scribes and the Pharisees their house is left to them desolate, and He will return Matthew 23:36-39.
Their duty as shepherds was over in that generation, 70 AD, and the sheep shall be gathered again, Isaiah 11:12Ezekiel 37:21-22Jeremiah 23:3 and more.
We don't know that but it is obvious they had some writings or oral instructions by God(?) about that. Definitely not used astrology, that is fake science. Not astronomy either which is real science. The star had to be down near the ground to show the house where Jesus was. If it was up the sky like normal stars it couldn't show a specific point on earth. It was not a usual star.
The Prophesies and Miracles of Jesus's Life on Earth. - In Reply on Matthew 2 - 1 year ago
You can Google the star of Bethlehem and get the astronomy on that; approximate time in history, etc.
I believe the Wise Men were astrologers, mathematicians. Observers of the Times. Quite possibly Chaldean in nature. They had a purpose to fulfill in Gods plan. Each gift had a meaning. Mary and Joseph could use the gold to live on, in Egypt until King Herod died, in Israel.
It's very interesting to study the ways God provides for His purposes. For us too.
Why would the event cause them to come to Jerusalem? Well, in the Mesopotamian area, back in the days of Balaam, in Numbers Chapter 24 Verse 17, Balaam prophesied and said a star would come out of Jerusalem. This was the same area that these priests came from. They had Balaam's prophesies.
That was also the area in which Daniel was at, and they had his prophesies as well. And so these casts of priests knew that the Jews were looking for and waiting for the Messiah to come. This means that they, The Magi, they knew from the end of Daniel Chapter 9 Verses 24 to 27 about the 70 weeks of Daniel.
And they would count out the days and those weeks added up to 173,880 days from the time the decree was made for the temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem till the time of the coming priest, 173,880 days.
That's why Jesus in the gospel of Luke, He is weeps over Jerusalem and He says, "And if you knew this your day of visitation, you would have received me." He was making reference to Daniel's prophecy, because on the very day, 173,880 days after the decree was made to rebuild Jerusalem, Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.
The Jews should have known that to the exact day. But they didn't. And they rejected their Messiah. But the Magi knew. They knew that another great man was about to arrive on the scene and that if there was an event in the heavens, then this was probably the birth of the Messiah.
God bless
Your explanation is very helpful to me.
Good information: truth shines from the word of God. As you said the leaders of Jerusalem should have known. I believe they did know, in Matthew 2:3-6, that Jerusalem (chief priests and scribes) was also troubled. They knew the time, but God did to them what He did to Pharoah, He blinded and hardened their hearts, John 12:40. To me this kind of ties into the things S Spencer has been sharing.
There are other scriptures they were probably aware of, like Jeremiah 50:6 and Ezekiel 34 where God told Ezekiel to prophesy against the shepherds, (the leaders) and what God would do, Ezekiel 34:10.
So, they were troubled to hear Jesus was born. They did not even send anyone to Bethlehem to see. You would think they would have been jumping for joy, but they did not want to give up the power, wealth, and Moses's seat they had. Jesus the true Shepherd John 10:11 first came only for the lost sheep of Israel, Matthew 15:24, fulfilling and confirming the covenant Hebrews 13:20. Jesus also told the scribes and the Pharisees their house is left to them desolate, and He will return Matthew 23:36-39.
Their duty as shepherds was over in that generation, 70 AD, and the sheep shall be gathered again, Isaiah 11:12 Ezekiel 37:21-22 Jeremiah 23:3 and more.
God bless,
RLW
We don't know that but it is obvious they had some writings or oral instructions by God(?) about that. Definitely not used astrology, that is fake science. Not astronomy either which is real science. The star had to be down near the ground to show the house where Jesus was. If it was up the sky like normal stars it couldn't show a specific point on earth. It was not a usual star.
GBU
God bless
I believe the Wise Men were astrologers, mathematicians. Observers of the Times. Quite possibly Chaldean in nature. They had a purpose to fulfill in Gods plan. Each gift had a meaning. Mary and Joseph could use the gold to live on, in Egypt until King Herod died, in Israel.
It's very interesting to study the ways God provides for His purposes. For us too.
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